Team news update: Arsenal confirm quadruple fitness boost ahead of BATE trip

Arsenal have provided a team news update ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with BATE Borisov and several players could return to the squad.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the 2-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at the weekend due to illness but the Gabon international is now back in full training and in contention to face BATE.

Sokratis has been on the sidelines since suffering an ankle injury during our FA Cup defeat to Man Utd almost three weeks ago and the centre-back wasn’t due to return until the end of the month.

However, the Greek international resumed light training last week and Arsenal have now confirmed that Sokratis is back in full training ahead of schedule – which is a huge boost.

There is also positive news on Granit Xhaka as the midfielder is also back in full training after missing the last two matches with a groin injury while Mesut Ozil is available again after sitting out the Huddersfield game due to illness.

However, Aaron Ramsey could miss the trip to BATE on Thursday as he remains a doubt with a knee problem that kept him out at the weekend so he could remain on the sidelines along with long-term absentees Danny Welbeck, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding.

The update on Arsenal.com read:

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
In full training.

Mesut Ozil
In full training.

Sokratis
In full training ahead of schedule.

Granit Xhaka
In full training.

Aaron Ramsey
Right knee. Being assessed ahead of BATE Borisov (a).

Hector Bellerin
Left knee. Recovering after surgery.

Rob Holding
Left knee. Recovering after surgery.

Danny Welbeck
Right ankle. Recovering after surgery.

It remains to be seen whether Unai Emery will risk the likes of Aubameyang and Sokratis against BATE as he’s rested our key players and gone with the reserves so far in the competition.

However, with the club out of both domestic cup competitions and the race for the top four looking extremely tight, Arsenal should probably take the Europa League seriously now we’re in the knockout stages so hopefully the boss goes with a strong side tomorrow evening.